A pair of French gilt-bronze ewers, after Nicolas Delaunay, in 17th century style 19th century

the baluster body with a central frieze in low relief with portrait medallions and masks on a punched ground, the fluted neck with a Vitruvian scroll frieze, with a standing panther handdle above a female mask, the gadrooned circular base decorated with leaves

Overall good condition, some wear to gilding, one with a crack in the base and small (filled) hole in the lower part of the body.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A signed silver-gilt ewer - now in the Cathedral of Poitiers - by Nicolas Delaunay (c.1625-1727) and dated from 1697 seems to have been the model for this pair of ormolu ewers. Their idiosyncratic standing panther handles were most likely inspired by a Jacques Stella engraving from his Second Livre des Vases, published in 1697, and can also be seen in the Louis XIV pair of ewers attributed to Michael Anguier (1612-1686) which belonged to the famous Blondel de Gagny Collection. The mask supporting the handle and the espagnolette mask on the frieze appear in three drawings attributed to Delaunay’s half-brother Jacques de Meaux from the Tessin Collection in Stockholm, which at the same time also relate closely to Anguier’s model.